Free to Follow
May 22, 2014//
Topics to Dig Into
Galatians
5:13-14, 16-17 (NLT) – For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers
and sisters. But don’t use your freedom
to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead,
use your freedom to serve one another in love.
So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful
nature craves. The sinful nature wants
to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the
opposite of what the sinful nature desires.
These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free
to carry out your good intentions.
5:13-14, 16-17 (NLT) – For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers
and sisters. But don’t use your freedom
to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead,
use your freedom to serve one another in love.
So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful
nature craves. The sinful nature wants
to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the
opposite of what the sinful nature desires.
These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free
to carry out your good intentions.
Just after I vowed to stick with my
quiet time, prioritizing it above my schedule, I didn’t. Funny that God chose to send this passage today. Ah, the struggle! I could read this as a slap on the wrist, but
I don’t. I find it affirming. Here’s why:
quiet time, prioritizing it above my schedule, I didn’t. Funny that God chose to send this passage today. Ah, the struggle! I could read this as a slap on the wrist, but
I don’t. I find it affirming. Here’s why:
While I know God has called me to
this blog ministry, the daily part is self-imposed. I want everyone in God’s Word daily. That’s not a bad goal, but perhaps I should mix
a little freedom in with my ‘law’. Twice,
yesterday, I followed the Spirit’s lead and both interruptions caused me to be
late to my next scheduled activity.
this blog ministry, the daily part is self-imposed. I want everyone in God’s Word daily. That’s not a bad goal, but perhaps I should mix
a little freedom in with my ‘law’. Twice,
yesterday, I followed the Spirit’s lead and both interruptions caused me to be
late to my next scheduled activity.
First, I saw a woman walking who I
know is going through a tough time. I
could have given a friendly smile, waved and driven by. I was on schedule according to my agenda. But instead I stopped to chat and I believe
we both were blessed. Was I late for my
weekly walk and doggie fix? Yes, but was
that God’s priority?
know is going through a tough time. I
could have given a friendly smile, waved and driven by. I was on schedule according to my agenda. But instead I stopped to chat and I believe
we both were blessed. Was I late for my
weekly walk and doggie fix? Yes, but was
that God’s priority?
Second, I was quickly returning some
borrowed books to cross it off my to-do list.
I would usually slide them in the mailbox and text about the
drop-off. Instead I rang the doorbell. That quick errand became an enriching, good-for-my-soul
conversation. Was I late for the bell concert
on my agenda? Yes, but I was still blessed
by an hour of beautiful music and a warm, squeezy hug from an old friend. (The friend is not old, but our friendship is
a treasure.)
borrowed books to cross it off my to-do list.
I would usually slide them in the mailbox and text about the
drop-off. Instead I rang the doorbell. That quick errand became an enriching, good-for-my-soul
conversation. Was I late for the bell concert
on my agenda? Yes, but I was still blessed
by an hour of beautiful music and a warm, squeezy hug from an old friend. (The friend is not old, but our friendship is
a treasure.)
Lo and behold! I still had quiet time, just not according to
my usual morning routine. The sound of bells
was prayer of a different kind – peaceful, calming and lovely.
my usual morning routine. The sound of bells
was prayer of a different kind – peaceful, calming and lovely.
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top of this email then comment at the bottom of the blog. If you’d like
to comment privately, you can email me at [email protected].
Spend a few minutes to plant a quick Seed. Or stay longer and plant a whole garden.
